T206: Thoughts on Direction

[T206Collector]

If T206 cards don't inspire you, then it is probably best not to concentrate on any particular area of T206 to build on. I really believe that you have to hear it calling you before you should start collecting it in any serious quantities. If there is something inherent in portraits that absolutely captivates your attention, then I would say go for it. Similarly, if you are huge into Russian cigarettes, or something akin, then Tolstoi backs would be a ton of fun. But your potential interest in portraits or Tolstoi backs strike me as very different vantage points for appreciating the set and, combined with your recent sell off of T206 cards, suggests you haven't been hooked quite yet.

Most serious T206 collectors acquire the set because we have to. It gets in your blood and under your skin. Don't force it -- let it come to you!

[Orioles1954]

Rob,

I agree with the above poster. Other than signed examples, T206 has never done much for me. There are plenty of other sets out there from the tobacco era to the 1930s. Perhaps you can explore around and see if you naturally gravitate towards one? That's how I got into my 1933 DeLong and Tattoo Orbit projects.

[Robextend]

I totally agree and I hear what you are saying, but I would say that I am hooked. The only difference is that this time I want to have a better plan rather than just buying up everything I see like I did the first time around.

The Tolstoi backs would be nice because I have Russian ancestry on both sides of my family. The portraits to me are some of the most beautiful cards ever made IMO. I just wanted to see which one feasibly made more sense.

Also focusing more on these subsets would ensure that I would not have to focus 100% on T206 and I can still peruse my other projects.

[T206Collector]

I have always admired the Tolstoi cards because of my Russian ancestry as well. The portraits can keep you busy on a daily basis since there's always one for sale somewhere. The Tolstoi are going to be a little bit harder to track down. If you're only looking for a part-time collecting gig, then I'd probably go with the Tolstoi. It is a bit more definitive and will start to look really neat when you get a bit of a stack to flip through.

But back to the "hooked" point. Once in awhile I try to branch out into other collecting areas, but I always get pulled back into T206 and wind up selling the other stuff to afford the T206s. To me, that's when you know you are hooked -- that's when you hear the calling.

[Orioles1954]

I will ammend what I said previously. Some of the tougher backs such as Tolstoi and El Principe De Gales (my favorite) add an
interesting dimension to a common set. Happy collecting,

James

[JP]

Rob, I think I can make a suggestion that would solve your dilemma. Collect only T-206 portraits with a Tolstoi back! Two birds, one stone.

I just acquired a Tolstoi back red Cobb portrait if you want to start there...

[Robextend]

JP - Nice pickup!

That is a good idea, although Tolstois do not come around so often, so I am probably going try and grab any presentable one that I find if that is what I end up doing.

Thanks for the responses...

Rob